The first night that Gil and Nick were home everyone sat in the kitchen with a big bowl of salted popcorn and cider. Everyone was listening to Gil and Nick as they told stories. Uncle Jim told Nick and Gil about the Tory uprising and how they had tried to set the small town on fire. Aunt Catherine told about the hawks that were trying to pick off the chicken clutch and Nick told John about the Indians.
"Are they naked?" John asked.
Everyone at the table laughed and Nick told him that it had been too cold to be naked. Sara remembered when she was younger and she wanted to run around naked all the time.
"Well," Uncle Jim said as he lit his pipe. "I heard Valley Forge had a rough winter."
This caught Sara's attention and she listened. Both Gil and Nick had stayed at Valley Forge and she wanted to know what the conditions had been like.
"Nick was there longer than I, but when I got there things were pretty bad," Gil said as he took Sara's hand.
Nick nodded. "The food was very low and hunting was very scarce. A lot of men had to chew on their own stewed boots to stay alive," he said.
Gil nodded. "A lot of men died. I think we lost nearly a thousand men to sickness and at least three hundred were sent home. The constant snow and ice that melted made things very wet, but our huts were comfortable enough," he said.
"Gil nearly died on pneumonia," Nick added.
Sara gasped slightly and put her hand over her mouth. Gil looked over at her and squeezed her hand. "I wasn't as bad off as he says. I got one hundred percent better," he said.
"All I can say is I am glad to sleep in a bed. Only if it is for a few weeks," Nick said.
Uncle Jim took a puff of his pipe and looked at John as he yawned. "That must be the signal to turn in. Gil, please stay tonight. The sofa in the sitting room is comfortable. Now that you are courting my niece, you don't have to sleep in the barn with the animals," he said.
John and Nick laughed. Gil smiled, but politely declined. "I already paid for my room and left my change of clothes there. I'll come by tomorrow and visit," he said as Sara walked him to the door.
When Gil and Sara where out of earshot Nick jerked his thumb towards them and smiled. "Are you going to let him marry her?" he asked his father.
"I haven't thought much on it, but I suppose he is a good man. Sara is like a daughter to your mother and I," Uncle Jim replied.
Nick nodded. "He's an alright man, but he can get kind of strict," he said.
Uncle Jim finished his pipe and began to clean it out. "Well, he is captain. I am sure it comes with obligations," he replied.
Outside on the front porch Gil and Sara were looking out at the stars. There were many that night and they were shining brightly. Behind them Uncle Jim opened the door and stuck his head out.
"Sara, say good night. It's late," he said.
Sara turned Gil and smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?" she asked.
Gil nodded. "Yes, tomorrow," he said as he stepped off the porch.
Sara watched as he mounted his horse, the beautiful bay that had once belonged to her, and waved. Sara waved back and Gil rode off towards town.
~~0~~
The next week was full of laughter and happiness for Sara. Nick was back, joking with John like always. Once in a while her two cousins would look at her and laugh, but she didn't care. She was in courting now and she was nothing but smiles. Since she had missed the Spring Ball her fabric had been made into a dress for the summer picnic.
With Aunt Catherine's help it turned out just right. It fit snugly around her bosom, but was still modest enough to wear out. She had sewn pearl buttons up the front and it had flounced lace sleeves. Every day Sara couldn't help but admire it. Her mother's charm, a silver locket in the shape of a heart, was hanging in on the blue ribbon that she had bought and looked beautiful. Aunt Catherine planned to wear a dress of the same make, only hers was a pale green and had little red strawberries on it. The green looked perfect with her red hair and ivory skin.
Finally the day of the picnic arrived and the everyone was busy with bathing. Uncle Jim and the cousins took their bath in the kitchen, but the ladies got their bath upstairs in the big bedroom. The big bedroom had a fireplace in it and they used this to heat the bath water. Aunt Catherine took out a package that contained store bought soap and they used it to lather up and wash. Aunt Catherine went first, while Sara heated her own bath water. If it was needed , Sara would lather up Aunt Catherine's back and her aunt would do the same for her. They always wanted to be spotless when going into Philadelphia. Finally they were squeaky clean and they began to dress.
First they put on their shifts, which were long and protected their clothes from their skin. Then they tied their stays. Stays supported the bosoms so that their posture looked appropriate. Sara always took a deep breath while Aunt Catherine tied hers. Since she hadn't had had any children yet, she could have hers tied tightly, but her aunt didn't have hers as tight. After that came their hoop skirts. Then, finally, Sara put on her dress. It fit perfectly, especially after she tied it in the back. Sara tied Aunt Catherine's dress in the back then she styled her hair. Her hair, when she didn't braid it, fell in ringlet curls around her shoulders. She pulled her hair away from her face, with a white ribbon, and tied it back. A few curls framed her face but other than that it was perfect. Then she tied her straw hat on. It had a wide brim and molded to her head. Lastly, she put her charm around her neck and Gil's ring on her finger.
"You look like a doll," Aunt Catherine told her as she tied her white cap on.
"Ladies!" Uncle Jim called. "we're waiting on you."
Aunt Catherine grabbed her parasol and Sara her white fan. They hurried down the stairs and out into the sunshine. Uncle Jim shut the door behind them and then helped them into the wagon. The men, including John, were wearing stockings and suits. The suits had brass buttons on them and they wore waistcoats. Uncle Jim never wore his wig, but he did have one.
"Off to pick up Sara's beau," Nick joked.
Uncle Jim shook the reigns and the horses trotted off. The horses had been brushed until they shone and the leather harnesses had been greased. In the wagon they were taking three pies, a watermelon and four loaves of bread. They also had butter and preserves to put on the bread. The picnic was always fun and exciting. They had games that everyone participated in story telling. Some of the elders wanted to cancel the picnic because of the war, but Uncle Charles was on the board and he said that it would only damper spirits.
Uncle Jim stopped the wagon in front of the inn that Gil was staying at and they waited. Soon Gil came out, dressed in his uniform, and they left for the picnic.
~~0~~
With Gil and Nick in the wagon the ride didn't seem to take as long. Soon they were at the picnic and Sara helped Aunt Catherine set out the food while the men settled the horses. Uncle Jim was a well known man and he and Uncle Charles always tied their horses under the biggest and shadiest tree.
"Miss, may I spend the afternoon with you?" a man asked Sara as she worked.
Sara shook her head. "I am here with someone," she said.
Aunt Catherine smiled. "I told you that you looked like a doll. I bet Gil thinks you're the most beautiful woman here," she said.
Sara pulled out her fan and fanned herself. "I think that he is the most handsome," she said.
"I think James is most handsome," Aunt Catherine said with a smile.
Sara stopped fanning and laughed. "Yes he is too, I suppose," she said.
When the wagon was secure and the horses had water, the men came over and everyone decided what they wanted to do. Aunt Catherine and Uncle Jim were going to see what kind of things were being sold and John wanted to play games with the other children. Gil said that he had a surprise for Sara and everyone separated.
"What kind of surprise?" she asked.
Gil smiled. "You can't tell surprises. They loose all their wonder," he said.
They started to walk towards main street and Gil took a turn and continued down another road. Sara looked back and wondered where it was that they were going. For some reason, in the back of her mind, Sara wondered if Gil was going hurt her. She quickly dismissed the thought because she knew he never would. Then Gil stopped and Sara looked ahead.
"The college?" Sara asked.
Gil nodded. "I met someone who teaches here and they told me that I can show you inside," he said.
Sara was amazed. "You mean I can go in?" she asked.
Gil nodded and tugged her along. "Come on," he said. "I have something to tell you."
Sara followed him and soon they were approaching the main door to the college. She hesitated at the heavy door, but Gil had a key and unlocked it. Sara was impressed that he had it and wondered what he had to tell her. As soon as they entered Sara saw a hallway of rooms. Each room had a wooden door with a glass window and Sara looked in. There were all kinds of seats there and there was a black board at the end of the room.
"We can't stay long, but you can go in," Gil said.
Sara pushed the door open and stepped inside, She put her hand on one of the desks and felt the cool wood under her hand. The room smelled of chalk and books to her, it was something she would never forget.
"I want to show you the library," Gil said as he took her hand.
He led her out of that building and outside. Sara was confused because she thought the college was one big place. It was actually many places in one. Gil had a key for this door too and he opened it. Sara stepped inside and saw books. More books then she had ever seen in her life. The books seemed to climb the wall and were stacked on tables. Carefully she went over and picked one up.
"The New Atlantis," she said as she read the title. " Uncle Jim was never able to get this one for me."
She set the book down and reached for another. It was by a Frenchman named Francois Rabelais and having had French instruction as a young girl, she knew how to translate it. She opened the book in the middle and read aloud, in French, the first words she saw.
"L'amour ne dure pas toujours ," she read.
"The love does not always last," Gil translated.
Sara set the book down and sighed. It was ironic that she would read something like that. She hoped that it wasn't fate trying to tell her something.
"Do you think our love will last?" she asked.
"I like to believe it will, but it takes two people," Gil replied.
Sara nodded. "I know it does," she said.
Gil took her hand and held it gently. "I was able to speak with the head of the college. I was told that if I was to pass the exams then I can teach here. We can live here in Philadelphia," he said.
Sara smiled. "I won't be too far from my aunt and uncle then," she said.
Gil smiled. "I think this love will last," he said.
"L'amour dure," Sara said.
~~0~~
They looked around the college a little more. Sara loved the campus and how beautiful everything was. Finally, Gil locked up and he put the keys in his pocket. They could hear people laughing and singing as they made their way back to the picnic. Uncle Jim looked at them with suspicion as they joined them to eat and Aunt Catherine did too.
"Gil showed me the college," Sara said to put their minds at ease.
Uncle Jim cleared his throat and John stopped talking. "I suppose after we eat we should pack up and head back. We have a busy day and it's hot out," he said.
"Papa what about the stories!?" John said.
"James," Aunt Catherine said as she put her hand on him. "don't loose your temper."
"Come on Johnny, lets go get some lemonade," Nick said.
Sara watched her cousins leave then she turned her attention back to Uncle Jim. His face was more serious then she had ever seen and he looked directly at her.
"Disappearing with my niece, especially since you are in courting, is inappropriate and disrespectful. What if you had been seen?" Uncle Jim said.
Gil spoke up. "My apologies sir, I only meant to show Sara around the college," he said.
"Gil," Aunt Catherine said. "I know you think fondly of Sara, but women aren't allowed to even enter a college. It's the law."
Sara nodded. "We didn't do anything compromising. We just looked around," she said.
"Sara, I know you love to learn. I have been bringing you books for a long time, hoping that you would grow out of this need to attend college, but it's foolish. It won't happen," Uncle Jim said.
Sara blinked numbly. The day had started off wonderful and even her new dress didn't make her feel happy. She excused herself from the group and walked back towards the wagon. When the horses saw her the pricked their ears forward. Sara stroked their soft noses and looked into the big eyes.
"Sara," she heard Gil say behind her.
Sara tried to keep her tears in, but Uncle Jim's words stung. She wanted to believe that there was a chance to go to college and learn. She turned to Gil and the tears started to flow. What place did she have in this world?
"I don't know what to do now," she said.
Gil took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "You come and dance with me," he said.